The main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s candidate for the vacant Kaafu atoll Guraidhoo seat in the parliament will be Hussain Riza, the younger brother of the late Ibrahim Riza, who passed away while representing the constituency.
Hussain Riza was the only candidate who submitted his candidacy when the party opened for a primary ahead of the by-election.
MP Riza, who had been representing Guraidhoo constituency for the past three terms, passed away on February 23 while undergoing treatment for cancer.
PPM spokesperson Heena Walid said Hussain Riza was given the party's ticket because no other candidate had put their names forward before the deadline expired. She said that he has been an ordinary member of the party for some time.
Heena said the party will soon launch Hussain Riza’s campaign.
After MP Riza's death, a delegation from the party visited the island last week to extend their condolences to the family.
Besides PPM, the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has also announced an internal election ahead of the by-election to nominate a candidate from the party. Four people have submitted their candidacy for the party's ticket, MDP said.
The Maldives National Party has nominated Ali Arif, who served in the Maldives' education sector for a long period.
The Election Commission has said that the by-election for the constituency will be held on April 15.
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